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The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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Paternal Family Tree: Smelt
In August 1748 Cornelius Smelt was born to [his father] William Smelt (age 58).
On 14th September 1755 [his father] William Smelt (age 65) died. He was buried in the Smelt Family Vault St Mary's Church, Kirkby, Fleetham.
On 2nd March 1772 Cornelius Smelt (age 23) was promoted to Lieutenant of the 14th Regiment of Foot.
On 9th July 1776 Cornelius Smelt (age 27) was gazetted to the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot with whom he saw action in various campaigns during the American War of Independence.
On 6th October 1785 Cornelius Smelt (age 37) and Mary Trant Otley (age 22) were married at Richmond, North Yorkshire [Map].
On 17th July 1787 Cornelius Smelt (age 38), as a captain, was assigned as Deputy Governor of Southsea Castle [Map].
After 1797. All Saints Church, Thirkleby, North Yorkshire [Map]. Grave slab of [his wife] Mary Trant Otley (age 34), wife of Cornelius Smelt (age 48), aunt of Dorothy Smelt Lady Thirkleby (age 47).
Mary Trant Otley: Around 1763 she was born. On 6th October 1785 Cornelius Smelt and she were married at Richmond, North Yorkshire [Map]. On 5th October 1797 she died. She was buried at All Saints Church, Thirkleby, North Yorkshire [Map] on 9th October 1797.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 5th October 1797 [his wife] Mary Trant Otley (age 34) died. She was buried at All Saints Church, Thirkleby, North Yorkshire [Map] on 9th October 1797.
On 4th June 1801 Cornelius Smelt (age 52) and Anne Hale (age 33) were married.
On 15th June 1805 Cornelius Smelt (age 56) served as Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, which positin he held for life, the longest governorship in the history of the Island.
On 10th August 1826 Cornelius Smelt (age 78) attended a meeting at the George Inn, Castletown, there being present some of the highest officials then residing in Castletown, Chairman of the meeting being Colonel Mark Wilks. At the meeting a resolution was passed to commission a portrait of Governor Smelt by Thomas Barber (age 55). The portrait was purchased by Captain Caesar Bacon, husband of Smelt's daughter, and was placed in his home at Seafield, Santon. The portrait stayed in the family until 1925 when it was presented to the Manx Museum.
In 28th November 1832 Cornelius Smelt (age 84) died in office at Castle Rushen [Map]. He was buried under the altar at St Mary's Church, Castletown [Map].
On 5th December 1853 [his former wife] Anne Hale (age 85) died.
Around 1985 St Mary's Church, Castletown [Map] was deconsecrated. The remains of Cornelius Smelt were exhumed and reinterred in the Bacon family vault alongside his daughter at St Peter's Church in Onchan.
Kings Wessex: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 20 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 18 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 22 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: Leonard Smelt
Father: William Smelt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Frankland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Frankland of Thirkelby in Yorkshire
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Frankland 1st Baronet
GrandMother: Grace Frankland 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Belasyse 1st Baronet 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Belasyse 1st Viscount Fauconberg 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ursula Fairfax
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Belasyse 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Cholmley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Barbara Cholmley 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Babthorpe 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Arabella Belasyse Lady Thirkleby 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Barton of Smithells in Lancashire
Great x 2 Grandmother: Grace Barton
Cornelius Smelt 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England